Container for rockets



NOV 1955 .1. A. BURKE ET AL CONTAINER FOR ROCKETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 3,- 1952 INVENTORS JAMES A. BURKE HOWARD w. THORN Q/ZWW J l? r a N 1955 J. A. BURKE ETAL CONTAINER FOR ROCKETS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 3. 1952 INVENTORS JAMES A. BURKE HOWARD M.- THORN Z zfi. am (02% h GE United States Patent CONTAINER FOR RGCKETS James A. Burke, Washington, D. C., and Howard W. Thorn, Silver Spring, Md.

Application October 3, 1952, Serial No. 313,083

12 Claims. (Cl. 206-3) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

This invention relates to containers for items of ordnance, and more particularly to containers for projectiles, such as rockets, providing for the easy removal of the contents therefrom.

It has long been the practice to provide waterproof and airtight containers or canisters for items of ordnance such as projectiles, rockets, and the like, to protect these items from the deleterious effects of moisture. Since these containers do not normally provide any special facility for the removal of their contents, it has been the usual practice to tilt the container in such a manner as to dump the contents therefrom. However, with the advent of longer, slimmer, and heavier projectiles and similar items of ordnance, it has become increasingly more diflicult to remove these items from the confines of their respective containers, particularly since these containers are usually constructed in assembled groups so as to receive and hold a plurality of projectiles or rockets, and the assembled groups are normally stacked horizontally one atop another in the magazine room of a ship or ammunition depot.

This invention obviates the foregoing difiiculty by providing a means for readily extracting projectiles or rockets from their respective containers Without disturbing the position of the container. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, within each canister there is provided an extraction liner which is adapted to engage the tail of a rocket or other item stored in the container, and associated therewith is an extractor rod terminating in the vicinity of the mouth of the canister, whereby the liner may be conveniently pulled from its normal position in the container toward the mouth thereof. With the insertion of a rocket in the container it is engaged by the liner, and may therefore be readily withdrawn from the container by means of the extractor rod. In addition, the present invention further contemplates the use of a second or supplementary liner for engaging a forward portion of the rocket or other item, which in cooperation with the first liner, the canister, and a cover cap for the canister anchors the rocket securely in the container.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a container for items of ordnance which enables the ready extraction of the item therefrom.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container for storing items of ordnance which enables the ready removal of the item therefrom and provides for the firm anchoring of said item while stored in said container.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container for supporting, protecting and storing an item of ordnance and which provides for the ready extraction of the item when desired without disturbing the arrangement or array of the containers.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages ice of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view partially in section of a group of united containers embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a container taken substantially along line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a container taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of an extractor liner and shows the connection between the liner and an extractor rod;

Fig. 5 is an end view of the rocket container group of Fig. 1 showing a cover used to close the canisters; and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section view partially in elevation of the rocket container shown in Fig. 1, and illustrates the extraction of rocket therefrom.

Referring to the drawings for an illustrative and exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown particularly in Fig. l, a plurality of canisters 11 are united together in spaced relationship by two sheet metal end skirts or the like 12 and 13. Each canister 11 is formed closed at one end 30 and open at its other end 31 and substantially conforms in length and diameter to the dimensions of an item of ordnance to be stored therein, as for example a rocket 17 shown in phantom lines. The cross-sectional configuration of a single canister 11 is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 where it may be seen that it is basically circular but formed with a plurality of lengthwise channels or ribs 11a which impart rigidity to the canisters and also facilitate the use of an extractor rod or the like for removing the rockets, as will be subsequently described.

Inserted in the canister 11 is a primary or extractor liner 18 generally cup shaped and positioned with its closed end 18a abutting the closed end 30 of the canister. As shown in Fig. 2 the circumferential contour of this liner substantially coincides with and slidably fits within that of the canister. The end of each finger-like channel mem ber 32 (Fig. 4) of the liner 18 is provided with a recessed groove 33 which terminates in an aperture or hole 34 through the channel member. An extractor rod 35 is laid in any channel 11a of the canister and one end is hooked through an aperture 34 in a finger-like channel member 32 of the extractor liner 18. The other end of the rod 35 terminates near the mouth 31 of the canister and may be provided with a handle 36.

The canister and extractor liner are preferably designed to accommodate a particular missile, rocket, or other item and, as best shown in Fig. 6, the rocket for which the instant canister and liner embodiment is designed is one having a tail diameter less than the major diameter of the rocket. Thus, when the rocket 17 is inserted tail first through the mouth 31 of the canister 11, its tail enters the extractor liner 18 until the extending lip or flange 20 thereof, which coincides with the diameter of the major portion of the rocket and hence with the lesser internal diameter of the canister, abuts the series of lesser diamea ter interdigitated, finger-like portions 32a of the extractor liner. By drawing the extractor liner 18 toward the mouth of the canister 11 with the air of extractor rod 35, the rocket 17 may be thus readily removed from the container. It will be noted that with this arrangement the tail of the rocket is effectively protected during both storage and removal of the rocket. As previously men'- tioned, the channels 11a in the canister 11 facilitate the use of the extractor rod 35, for they provide recesses removed from the body of rocket 17 along which the rod may be positioned. There is further provided a cup or cylindrically shaped secondary liner 22 comprising the cup 22a fitted about its lip with an annulus 22b of rubber, or the like, this liner being adapted to fit over and support the ogived nose portion of the rocket within the canister. The rocket is supported by this liner by forming the internal surface of the annulus of a size and shape which will engage and coincide with a portion of the nose of the rocket and making the external diameter thereof correspond with the minor internal diameter of the canister, as shown in Fig. 2.

Thus, with an extractor liner 18, adapted to engage the particular type of rocket to be stored in the container, seated in the canister 11 and having an extractor rod 35 secured thereto, an assembled rocket 17 may be inserted tail first into the canister until engaged by the extractor liner. Thereupon, the cup shaped secondary liner 22 may be capped over the nose of the rocket, and a clamping cover 40, such as shown in Fig. 5, may be applied over the mouth of the canister or over the mouths of the assembled canisters united by skirts 12 and 13, depending upon the type of cover employed, all as illustrated in the lower canister 11 of the two shown in Fig. 1. It is further desirable to provide a moisture seal, filler or spacer 41 between the end of secondary liner 22a and the canister cover 40, and a resilient spacer 21, such as a spring metal ring, at the closed end 18a of the extractor liner 18, which two elements cooperate to anchor the rocket 17 against axial movement in the canister. To remove the rocket from the container, the cover 40 is removed and by grasping the extractor rod handle 36, which is shown as overlaying the liner 22, the entire contents of the canister may be readily withdrawn by pulling on the extractor rod.

In addition to the foregoing arrangement of parts in the canister, a second arrangement is possible with the same elements, which is illustrated in the upper canister 11 of the two shown in Fig. 1. When storing a rocket comprising two separable sections, a nose section and a tail section, which are unitable through a male plug portion 45 formed on the rear of the nose section and a female receptacle 46 therefor formed in the forward portion of the tail section, it may be desired to store the rocket in a disassembled state rather than in the assembled state considered above. To this end, the cup or cylindrical portion of the secondary liner 22 is formed with appropriate dimensions to permit its entrance into the female socket 46 of the tail portion of the rocket. To store a disassembled rocket in the manner illustrated in the upper portion of Fig. 1, the extractor liner 18 and its rod 35 are inserted into the canister 11. The tail of the rocket is then inserted until engaged by the extractor liner. With the secondary liner 22 capped over the ogive of the rocket, the nose section is inserted liner first until the liner enters the female receptacle of the tail section and the annular flange 22b of the liner abuts the mouth of the receptacle. A moisture seal, spacer or filler such as 41 may again be fitted in the mouth of the canister and the cover 40 secured in place over said mouth. The rocket is withdrawn from the container in the same manner as described above and may then be assembled for use.

As mentioned earlier in the specification, it is the usual practice to assemble a plurality of canisters into a unit, as for example by means of skirts 12 and 13, and then to stack a number of these units in the magazine of a ship, an ammunition depot, or the like. To facilitate orderly stacking of the units, each skirt 12 and 13 is provided with a depression stamped into each of two adjacent sides thereof and mating protrusions 14 stamped into each of the other two sides thereof.

The particular detailed shape and dimensions of the canister, extraction liner, and secondary liner are intended to be modified to accommodate the particular item to be stored in the container, as will be apparent to any mechanic skilled in the art. Also, although the liners are shown cup shaped for completely enclosing the nose and tail of the rocket, thus protecting any fuse, detonator, or firing pin that may be present, it is not intended to limit the present invention thereto, and as is apparent tubular liners or the like may be readily employed in place thereof.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

l. A container for storing items of ordnance comprising a canister having dimensions conforming substantially to those of the item to be stored therein, said canister having a channel formed along the length thereof, an extractor liner siidably fitted in the base of said canister and adapted to encompass one end of said item, an extractor rod secured to said liner and extending along said channel into the vicinity of the mouth of said canister, a second liner slidably fitted in said container and adapted to encompass the other end of said item, and a cover member for anchoring said liners and an item engaged thereby against endwise movement in said canister.

2. A container for storing items of ordnance comprising a canister, an extractor liner slidably fitted in the base of said canister and adapted to encompass one end of said item, an extractor rod secured to said liner and extending into the vicinity of the mouth of said canister, a second liner slidably fitted in said container and adapted to encompass the other end of said item, and means at one end of the container for holding said liners and item together to said item against endwise movement in said canister.

3. A container for storing items of ordnance comprising a canister, an extractor liner slidably fitted in the base of said canister and adapted to encompass one end of said item, a second liner slidably fitted in said container and adapted to encompass the other end of said item, and means cooperating with said extractor liner and readily accessible from the mouth of said canister for sliding said extractor liner along said canister.

4. A container for storing items of ordnance comprising a canister having dimensions conforming substantially to those of the item to be stored therein, said canister having a channel formed along the length thereof, an extractor liner fittable in said canister for sliding movement therealong and adapted to encompass one end of said item, an extractor rod positionable in said channel and cooperating with said liner for slidably moving the same along the canister, a second liner fittable in said canister for sliding movement therealong and adapted to encompass the other end of said item, and means for anchoring said item and liners against endwise movement in said canister.

5. A container for storing items of ordnance comprising a canister, an extractor liner fittable in said canister for sliding movement therealong and adapted to encompass one end of said item, an extractor rod cooperating with said liner for slidably moving the same along the canister, a second liner fittable in said canister for sliding movement therealong and adapted to encompass the other end of said item, and means for anchoring said item and liners against endwise movement in said canister.

6. A container for storing items of ordnance comprising a canister, an extractor liner fittable in said canister for sliding movement therealong and adapted to encompass one end of said item, a second liner fittable in said canister for sliding movement therealong and adapted to encompass the other end of said item, and means cooperable with said extractor liner for sliding the same along said canister, whereby said item may readily be extracted therefrom.

7. In a container for storing in disassembled condition a rocket having a nose section and a tail section with said two sections being unitable through a male member in the nose section and a female receptacle in the tail section, the combination of a canister, an extraction liner formed to fit with axial slidability in said canister and adapted to engage the tail portion of said rocket, a second liner comprising a cap member and a flange member afiixed to said cap, said flange being formed to engage the nose end of said nose section with the application of the second liner over the nose of the rocket and to fit with axial slidability in said canister, said cap member being formed to fit within said rocket tail section receptacle, and means cooperating with said extraction liner for axially sliding the same along said canister.

8. In a container for storing a rocket having a forward section and a tail section with said two sections being unitable through a male plug member in the forward section and a female receptacle in the tail portion, the

combination of a canister, an extraction liner formed to fit with axial slidability in said canister and adapted to engage the tail section of said rocket, a second liner comprising a cap member and a flange member afiixed to said cap, said flange being formed to engage the nose portion of the nose section of said rocket with the application of the second liner over the nose of the rocket and to fit with axial slidability in said canister, said cap member being formed to fit within said rocket tail section receptacle, and means cooperating with said extraction liner for axially sliding the same along said canister, whereby the rocket may be supported in said canister in disassembled condition, and may be readily extracted therefrom.

9. In a container for storing an item of ordnance having a nose section and a tail section with said two sections being unitable through a male plug member in one of the sections and a female receptacle in the other of the sections, the combination of a canister, an extraction liner formed to fit with axial slidability in said canister for engaging the tail portion of said item, a second liner comprising a cap member and a flange member affixed to said cap, said flange being formed to engage the plug bearing section of said item with the application of the second liner over the nose of the item and to fit with axial slidability in said canister, said cap member being formed to fit within said tail section receptacle, and means cooperating with said extraction liner for axially sliding the same along said canister, whereby the item may be supported in said canister in disassembled condition.

10. An ammunition receptacle for facilitating storage of rockets comprising, an open end canister having longitudinal ribs forming lengthwise channels therein, a short extractor liner nested within said canister for axial slidable engagement with said ribs, said liner being adapted to partially encase the aft portion of the rocket, a second liner nested in said canister for slidable movement therein, said second liner comprising a cup member with a flange member afiixed to said cup and adapted to securely engage the forward portion of the rocket to prevent axial and lateral displacement of the rocket within the canister, an extractor rod extending longitudinally invthe canister and readily accessible from the open end of the canister for engaging the extractor liner for axially sliding the extractor liner along the longitudinal ribs of the canister, and a cover plate sealing the receptacle and anchoring the liners with intermediate rocket in place against longitudinal movement within the canister whereby the rocket is securely held within the canister.

11. A retainer for a projectile comprising; a cylindrical element having its surface interrupted at angularly spaced regions about the cylindrical periphery to form two series of spaced fingers adapted to support the body of the projectile, the ends of a first series of said fingers being adapted for engagement by an end of said projectile, the second series of fingers being interdigitated with the first-named series of fingers and being offset radially from the others so as to be adapted to contact the outer periphery of said body, and means engageable with one of said offset fingers to facilitate handling of the projectile and retainer as an integrated unit.

12. A retainer for a projectile comprising; a cylindrical container adapted to receive a projectile said container'being substantially the size of the enclosed projectile having its surface interrupted at angularly spaced regions about the cylindrical periphery, a short liner element nested within the cylindrical element encompassing the end of the projectile and having a first series of fingers and a second series of fingers interdigitated with the first series of fingers, the tips of said first series of fingers holding the projectile against end movement and the fingers of said second series being offset radially so as to engage the periphery only of said projectile, extracting means engageable with the short liner to facilitate removal of the projectile and liner element from the cylindrical element, and releaseable means for sealing at least one of the ends of the cylindrical element to provide access to the extracting means for removal of the encased projectile.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 693,336 Rhodes Feb. 11, 1902 710,706 Muller Oct. 7, 1902 1,455,219 Morina May 15, 1923 2,052,491 Rueppel Aug. 25, 1936 2,351,804 Blum June 20, 1944 

